Football legend and broadcaster Gary Lineker has delivered a stinging rebuke to far-right activist Tommy Robinson after he shared a video of Lineker in Mexico with a pointed insinuation.
The Viral Clip and the Accusation
The incident began when a fan spotted Gary Lineker walking the streets of Mexico last month and posted a short clip online. The video showed the 65-year-old former England striker alongside his daughter-in-law, Bella Lineker. The fan captioned the post, asking about the chances of such a meeting.
Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, then reposted the clip to his own followers. The 43-year-old added the caption 'What you up to here @GaryLineker?' alongside a two-eyes emoji, implying inappropriate behaviour.
Lineker's Definitive and Witty Response
Lineker, who was in Mexico to be inducted into the International Football Hall of Fame, did not hesitate to set the record straight. He replied directly on social media, writing: 'If you must know, I was going to a chemist with my daughter-in-law, to get some medicine for her unwell husband….my son.'
He followed this factual clarification with a broader moral point, adding: 'Hatred is a dreadful weakness.' The brief video also showed Lineker's son, Harry, joining them, wearing a Tigres football shirt.
Broader Context and Career Moves
This public exchange comes during a period of significant change for Lineker's broadcasting career. He left the BBC in May after a controversy involving a social media post about Zionism, which he later apologised for, stating he did not see an antisemitic image it contained.
As a result, his planned anchoring of the BBC's 2025 World Cup coverage was axed. Instead, it was recently revealed that Lineker has signed an 'extraordinarily lucrative' deal with Netflix. He will host his popular podcast, The Rest Is Football, for the streaming giant from North America during the tournament.
Since his BBC departure, Lineker has also been confirmed as the host of a new ITV quiz show called The Box. The football pundit was back in the UK this week, celebrating his 65th birthday by watching Manchester United's win at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park.
